County Hall bosses claim the authority is continuing to improve, even in its final year of existence, but have been criticised for failing in several areas.

Bedfordshire County Council has just been assessed by the Audit Commission on how well it delivers a range of services.

But Bedford and Kempston MP Patrick Hall said the authority was still "letting children down".

He said: "I attended a meeting at County Hall last week and it is clear that the county council is doing a very good job providing the districts with information to prepare for unitary status.

"However, the Audit Commission report reveals some deeply worrying outcomes in education which are letting down too many children. This is not the time for spin but for hard work to put things right."

Bedfordshire County Council will be abolished next year as part of a shake-up of local government.

Like councils across the country, it is assessed every year.
The Audit Commission report covers five areas – children's services (schools, standards and strategy), children's services (social care), community services, environmental services and central services.

Compared to 2006/07, the county council performed better in 48 categories, and worse in 23, while in six areas its performance was the same.

But the authority missed its targets in 35 areas, while meeting or exceeding them in 41.

Categories where the council's performance both deteriorated and also failed to meet target include the number of students gaining five or more GCSEs at grades A*-G, and maths results for 11-year-olds.

Other categories included the percentage of council employees with disabilities or from ethnic minorities, and the percentage of top-earning staff who are women.

However, the county did see a fall in violent and vehicle crime, a rise in the amount of household waste which is recycled, and a fall in the number of days missed by schoolchildren.

Coun Madeline Russell, leader of the authority, said: "The council has further improved on over half of its best value performance indicators, reflecting our ability to sustain and improve high quality public services.

Key service areas, such as adult social care and environment, have performed particularly well. What we need to do now is ensure that we maintain these high standards across all service areas."